Festival issues Covid measures

‘Green zone’ for Irish contingent

If there was any remaining sense of normality about the Cheltenham Festival, it all but disappeared yesterday when the Jockey Club confirmed everyone attending from Ireland would be housed in temporary accommodation built on site and restricted to a “bubble” for their stay.

The intention is that all stable staff, trainers and jockeys crossing the Irish Sea, with around 175 horses, will be restricted to a “green zone” and, thus corralled, be prevented from coming into contact with the local community.

They will be subject to a Covid-19 test overseen by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s chief medical officer, Dr Jennifer Pugh, before leaving home, while health screening and daily temperature checks will take place.

Once at Cheltenham, there will be “no movement off site at any time”. Irish jockeys will have separate changing facilities and everyone will be subject to the British Horseracing Authority’s rules.

Before returning to Ireland, everyone will be Covid tested again and then be subject to a 14-day quarantine on arrival unless competing.

Still stung by the criticism received last year for going ahead, the authorities are not taking any chances this time and these “enhanced controls” and protocols have been formulated by the BHA, Horseracing Ireland, the IHRB and Cheltenham.

Dr Jerry Hill, chief medical adviser to the BHA, said: “We appreciate the hard work Cheltenham is putting in, along with our counterparts in Ireland, to ensure all of those involved in competing can do so in an environment that is as safe as possible.

“We hope all of those who are planning to travel feel reassured by the measures that have been put in place.”